A neighboring property owner asked I move my '98 4R 4WD. I plan to use it in a couple of years, but it's been sitting 7 yrs and will sit again for another 2 yrs before use. I camped out in Denver for 6 weeks in the winter looking at dozens of 4R's to find this vehicle and I work out of state. As it is I'm having a friend move it so will be extremely limited in what I can do.

He says it turns over, added fuel stabilizer and new gas 1.5gals (it was very low tank). Going to let it sit overnight and try to start it.

I guess a major concern is if 7 yr old gas would destroy the injectors.

It would be best to push it to it's new location where it will sit again, but that may not be possible with the help on hand.

I think it's less than a quarter tank and siphoning would be best, but again not sure that's going to be possible.

I know seals dry out and gas turns to varnish.
It's at 9,000 ft in CO so severe winters, lots of condensation in tank probably.
I had put in fuel stabilizer but that's all 7 yrs old now. Would it be enough to add in a bottle (or 2?) of HEET water remover just to run for a few minutes?
google says it won't cause damage to use too much, but how much would you use for 7 yrs of condensation...

Is it worth it to pay someone $150 to come siphon the tank and do any other "must do before moving" maintenance? Thanks.

Tow or push it. Don't run it without doing all the work required in restoring a abandoned vehicle.

This is the 3rd gen section. Anyway, even if the gas was stabilized it's too old. It should be drained and replaced. And if it sits another 2 years it would be best to leave as little fluid in it as possible.

Make sure the brakes are functioning if they plan to move the vehicle on it's own power. And check that critters haven't built any nests in the way of components that'll move or get hot.

All this is assuming it will only be run within your property, if it's going above 25 and on public roads more would need to be done.

..updated it's a '98 thx.

I guess I'm the only one in the 'send it' category... (well, after making sure it runs and the brakes work)

The other option is a tow truck - less than the cost of maintenance, etc. when it will just be parked again.

-Charlie

Update: after sitting 7 years it started right up, amazing. He put 1.5g gas and let a bottle of HEET set overnight. He drove it the 2 blocks and reparked. I may sell as now I don't have a place to park it. Durango, CO area. great advert, huh? It's a 98 4WD sport with lockers and apparently running well. 120k miles I think, new timing belt. tires probably need replaced after sitting and other maintenance. Hood was bent in a bit and I have a new replacement in the box, primed.

As I was reading this thread that's exactly what I was thinking.

Glad to hear she's still running well. Good luck with the sale.

If it sat for 7 years. It's not a new timing belt. Very possible that all the seals will start leaking for not being started and moved a few times a year.

Way not fire it up like once a month and move it around. If nothing else once a year start it up and move it around...

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100%, criminal not to do so...not at that location though.

Letting them sit is the worst thing ever. Is there not any way you can exercise it or have someone else do it?

Well its not worth crap sittin is it? I mean what are you gonna hurt? it's been sittin, can't hurt it any worse than letting it sit.

Altitude means squat.

It probably will fire right up. That is if the air filter is clean and the gasoline will still burn. Gotta fire it sooner or later and it would hurt to spin the engine 20 seconds, then fire to make sure everything lubed up.

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Glad to hear it worked! And I thought I had it bad when buying a 97 from my uncle, who had it sitting in his garage since the start of COVID. Still fired up, and drove it 20 miles to my place. Then the fun began of doing all the service it had missed in the many years prior to it sitting in his garage… 😂

That happens. Lots of vehicles get neglected.

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